Your savory breakfast links:
- Japers’ Rink Radio hits the interwaves at 10 Eastern. Pepper and Russell welcome Washington Times’ new Caps beat reporter Steve Whyno to the show. The topic? Go on, guess. [JRR]
- Previews of tonight’s clash with the Kitties from Vogs, NHL.com (Hunter), DCEx (McNally), Peerless, RtR, and CRtC, and be sure to check out our SB Nation partner Litter Box Cats for more coverage from the other side of tonight’s match-up.
- Notes and assorted whatnot from yesterday’s practice. [CI (Carerra: here, here, here), 106.7 The Fan (Kerstein)]
- Congrats are in order for the Capitals, who have clinched first seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs for the second straight year. Discussion from us, CI (Carrera), WashTimes (Whyno), SB Nation DC, Frankovic, DC Pro Sports Report, Baltimore Pro Sports Report, and CRtC.
- Now that we know where the Caps are seeded, what can they expect from the likely competition? [Inside Hockey]
- #GoalieWars… [CapsNewsNetwork]
- …and a goalie manifesto. [50 Mission Caps]
- The people’s superstar, Alex Ovechkin. [National Post]
- Nicklas Backstrom looks to put a somewhat frustrating season behind him. [WaPo (Carrera)]
- John Carlson should be getting more Calder consideration. The numbers say why. [InsiderĀ²]
- Oh, and then he should be President or something. Just watch this series of videos and you’ll agree. [NHL.com video]
- Jay Beagle, unleashed. [Skate Skate SHOOT]
- Have you watched a hockey game on Versus this season? You’re in good company. Also, #bringbackJoeB. [Puck the Media]
- ESPN wants to know how much you love the Caps. [Sports Franchise Rating Survey]
- Getting mentally prepped for the playoffs. [Caps Degenerate]
- Prospect playoff update:
- Caleb Herbert had an assist and went minus-1 in a 3-2 loss to Sioux Falls. But it’s all good for the Sioux City Musketeers’ Offensive Player of the Year.
- Samuel Carrier was on ice for one goal-for and three goals-against in a 6-5 OT loss to the Montreal Junior. The MAINEiacs start 0-1 in the second round of the Q playoffs.
- Brett Flemming went 0-1-1, plus-1 in an odd game in which the Majors scored the first eight goals and then gave up the next five. Ah well, still an 8-5 win and St. Mike’s leads the Sudbury Wolves 1-0.
- No shutout last night for Cody Eakin and the Kootenay Ice. Cody had two assists and an even rating in a 4-1 win.
- Stanislav Galiev made a bit of a stir with his sixth goal in five playoff games. The Sea Dogs prevailed over the Victoriaville Tigres 4-1 and have now outscored their playoff opponents 30-3.
- Finally, are we wishing Rick Tocchet a happy 47th birthday? You bet!